Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Fond du Lac, WI: $64.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Fond du Lac, WI runs $64.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,977 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Fond du Lac's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,389 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $64.41, which is below the national average of $73.02. This hourly rate reflects the compensation for those working in various settings including en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and airport traffic control towers. For part-time or per-diem workers, this pay translates into significant earnings, especially when considering the high-pressure environments they operate in. Entry-level air traffic controllers in Fond du Lac make approximately $37.36 per hour, while top earners can reach about $90.51 per hour. These figures are derived from estimated annual salaries, showcasing the value placed on air traffic control positions, even in a city with fewer than ten controllers.
About the Fond du Lac Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.36 | $298.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.47 | $371.80 |
| Median (P50) | $64.41 | $515.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.64 | $653.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.51 | $724.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fond du Lac
Based on $64.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.41/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fond du Lac, WI can expect to earn approximately $133,981 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,297. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fond du Lac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fond du Lac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,576.56 | $11,165 | $133,981 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,545.94 | $6,699 | $80,389 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,030.62 | $4,466 | $53,592 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Fond du Lac) | $64.41 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $133,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.79% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,584.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.41/hr = $80,389/year (purchasing power: $86,069).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,981/year (purchasing power: $143,449).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Fond du Lac grew 20.4% from $52.16/hr (2019) to $62.80/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Fond du Lac
Looking at part-time opportunities, a controller working part-time three days a week for 24 hours would realize earnings that differ significantly from their full-time counterparts. Controllers often take advantage of overtime opportunities, which can effectively boost their hourly compensation, especially in understaffed facilities where 50-60 hour weeks are common. Such demands often result in annual earnings exceeding $50k to $100k in overtime alone. Moreover, the type of employer impacts hourly compensation in Fond du Lac; FAA facilities might offer different rates than contract towers. Some controllers might accept lower pay for the benefits associated with federal employment, while others may favor higher wages without benefits. For those negotiating hourly rates, understanding the local market dynamics and the tiered pay structure offered by different employers can be essential for maximizing earnings.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Fond du Lac in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Fond du Lac?
Are air traffic controllers in Fond du Lac paid hourly or salary?
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Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Fond du Lac?
Related Pages
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Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Fond du Lac. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fond du Lac is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov